By Emma Peter, Abuja
The Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Kasim Mohammed Ikwa, has presented a cash prize of ₦500,000 to Sheikh Hamdan FC after the team emerged winner of a 32-team football tournament organised as part of activities marking his first 100 days in office.
Sheikh Hamdan FC defeated Anagada United by a lone goal in the first half of the final played in Gwagwalada, with the second half ending goalless.
Anagada United received ₦300,000 as runners-up.
The tournament was organised through the office of the Special Assistant to the Chairman on Sports and Recreational Development, in collaboration with the Gwagwalada Football Council and under the supervision of the Supervisory Councillor for Education, Hon. Caleb D. Yakubu.
The competition brought together teams drawn from the council’s 10 political wards.
Speaking shortly after the final and presentation of the trophy, Chairman Ikwa commended the organisers, participating teams, youths, residents and the media for contributing to the success of the competition.
He said the tournament was initially conceived as part of activities to commemorate his first 100 days in office, but described it as a rehearsal for a larger Chairman’s Cup that would be organised within the next two or three months.
According to him, the proposed Chairman’s Cup would be more comprehensive and is expected to attract teams from across the Federal Capital Territory.
Ikwa congratulated all the 32 participating teams, stressing that the competition should not be viewed solely in terms of winners and losers.
The chairman also explained the postponement of the planned 100-day celebration of his administration, saying the decision was taken to ensure that ongoing projects intended for commissioning were properly completed and delivered with value for money.
He said the postponement was not connected to any other reason, adding that a new date for the commissioning of projects across the three political zones of the Area Council would be announced in due course.
Ikwa, who prayed for continued wisdom and divine guidance for his administration, said the council remained committed to delivering tangible development to the people of Gwagwalada.
He also urged youths in the Area Council to remain united and keep hope alive, assuring them that more opportunities and initiatives would be introduced.
The chairman thanked residents, women, youths, spectators and visitors for their support, while calling for continued peace and progress in Gwagwalada.
Former Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Alhaji Adamu Mustapha, popularly known as Obama, commended the Ikwa administration for organising the tournament, describing the level of participation and enthusiasm from youths and residents as encouraging.
Mustapha said sports remained an important avenue for employment, entertainment, unity, peace, joy and healthy competition, stressing the need for greater investment in sports alongside the execution of capital projects.
He urged Chairman Ikwa to sustain the initiative and give sports development greater attention, noting that the tournament had demonstrated the potential of football to bring young people from different communities together.
The former chairman also commended the Special Assistant on Sports and Recreational Development for his role in organising the competition and congratulated all the participating teams, stressing that the players should see themselves as winners for taking part in the tournament.
He encouraged the organisers and participants to sustain the momentum generated by the competition and work towards further developing sports in Gwagwalada Area Council.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Chairman on Sports and Recreational Development, Barrister Babatunde Akintade, said the tournament was conceived to revive grassroots football and use sports as a vehicle for unity and talent development.
Akintade, who is also Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council and a board member of the FCT Football Association, said football development had suffered setbacks in the Area Council over the years.
He said the decision to draw teams from the 10 wards was deliberate, explaining that it was intended to promote unity, community integration and greater participation at the grassroots.
According to him, about 62 teams initially indicated interest in participating, but the organisers decided to distribute slots across the wards to ensure broader representation, eventually selecting 32 teams.
He said the support of Chairman Ikwa had created a fresh opportunity to reposition football development in Gwagwalada.
Akintade further disclosed that plans were underway to expose talented players from the tournament to scouts, including through recorded matches that could be made available to scouts unable to attend the games physically.
“We are optimistic that at the end of the day, one or two players will definitely move forward. That is our prayer,” he said.
He thanked the chairman for his support and promised that more sporting activities would be introduced, disclosing that volleyball was among the next initiatives being considered.
Earlier, Chairman Ikwa had commended his Special Adviser on Education and Social Development and other officials who contributed to the organisation of the tournament, saying the success of the competition demonstrated the importance of teamwork and commitment.
He also praised the tournament organiser, saying his appointment had been justified by his dedication and commitment to service.
The chairman said the event was not organised merely for entertainment but also to create an avenue for youths to interact, develop their talents and build stronger relationships across communities.
The tournament ended amid excitement and jubilation among supporters, residents and staff of the Gwagwalada Area Council, with Sheikh Hamdan FC lifting the trophy after securing the decisive first-half goal.
